Electrical switch blade assembly



July 9, 1963 R. M. MANNING ELECTRICAL SWITCH BLADE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1960 INV EN TOR.

RALPH M. MANNING M M.TM

HIS ATTORNEY July 9, 1963 R. M. MANNING 3,097,270

ELECTRICAL SWITCH BLADE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGB IN VEN TOR.

RALPH M. MANNING BY MMTW HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,097,270 ELECTRICAL SWITCH BLADE ASSEMBLY Ralph M. Manning, Winchester, Mass, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 79,374 6 Claims. (6i. 2tltl38) This invention relates to electrical switch blade assemblies of the kind employed in automatic time switches or other mul-ti-pole switching arrangements in which a plurality of contact spring blades are actuated to perform the desired switching functions and, more particularly, to the linkage arrangement interconnecting the blades to enable sequential switching of two pairs of contacts. This invention is suitable for use with time switches of the general type disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,896,053, issued July 21, 1959, in the names of H. B. Foote and R. M. Manning and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

It is often desirable to utilize an automatic time switch having two pairs of contacts whereby both pairs of contacts will close simultaneously and will open sequentially, that is, one pair of contacts will open a predetermined time prior to the other pair of contacts. By way of example, automatic timers intended for use in poultry house illumination lamps must simulate the occurrence of dusk and sundown at a later time of the day than the natural occurrence thereof. It is desirable that maximum artificial illumination be provided to simulate daylight until after natural sundown and into the night. Dusk is simulated by the deenergization of a portion of the lamps providing the artificial illumination followed a short time later by nightfall simulated by the deenergization of the remainder of the lamps. 'l' he hens return to their roosts in the period between the simulated dusk and prior to complete darkness. The poultry house lighting arrangement described above may be accomplished by an automatic time switch having the illuminating lamps divided into two separate circuits each controlled by a pair of electrical contacts and employing an automatic time switch to simultaneously close both pairs of contacts prior to sundown and sequentially open one set of contacts a predetermined time before the opening of the other set of contacts.

It is desirable to keep the variety of parts constituting the assembly small and to avoid close fits and tolerances in the design of the parts themselves which would render the parts diflicult for mass production. It is also desirable to enable ready assembly and disassembly of the switch members for repair and replacement.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved multi-pole switch assembly which will permit the simultaneous operation of two sets of contacts with subsequent sequential operation of each set.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved multi-pole switch assembly in which two sets of contacts may be simultaneously closed and the sets of contacts sequentially opened.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved automatic time switch assembly utilizing a blade linkage arrangement which is simplified in construction and which enables simultaneous actuation of a plurality of sets of blades followed by the sequential actuation thereof.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In accordance with one form of the invention, two pairs of spaced parallel spring blade members carrying contaots are secured to a terminal board at one end and are interconnected at the other end by a pair of movably interlocked, mutually supporting blade links, such that a motor driven time switch operator closing one pair of contacts through actuation on one of the blades of the first pair toward the other blade will, through one of the blade links, simultaneously actuate one of the blades of the second pair to cause the closing of both pairs. The switch operator, on opening, sequentially passes out of contact with the other blade link and the other blade of the first pair to allow the first pair of contacts to open a predetermined period of time prior to the opening of the contacts of the second pair.

For a better understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a time switch mechanism including a switch assembly embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the contour of the blade links;

FIG. 3 illustrates the pair of blade links during the assembly thereof;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are a series of views of the switching mechanism in various positions assumed in operation and useful in explaining the operation thereof. Portions of the top views thereof have been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 7 illustrates the blade link contour of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is the top View of a time switch embodying the blade link of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 1, the switch comprises an operator 1 having thereon a plurality of operator cams 2 extending longitudinally thereon and adapted to engage and actuate the switch assembly shown generally as 3. The switch operator 1 is rotatably actuated by the sequential engagement of actuator elements 4 adjustably secured to the timing dial 5 with the actuator cams 5. The timing dial 5 is rotated at a constant speed by connection through gears 6 and 7 to a synchronous drive motor 8. The positioning of the adjustable actuator elements 4 on the timing dial 5 will determine the scheduling of the sequential operation of the switch assembly 3. The arrangement thus far described is shown and more fully described in U.S. Patent 2,900,463, entitled Time Switch Assembly, filed by William I. Schultz and Carl F. Van Bennekom, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

The switch assembly 3 is mounted on an integral terminal board 10 and has secured thereto a plurality of switch blades 11, 12, 13, and 14 which are secured at one end in a manner more fully described in U.S. Patent 2,944,131, filed by Warren N. Ker-nander and Carl F. Van Bennekom, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The pairs of parallel deflect-able resilient blade members 11, 12 and 13, 14 carry con-tact pairs 15, 16 and 17, 18, respectively. Blades 11 and 12 along with their associated contacts 15 and 16 operate in combination as an electrical switch, while blades 13 and 14 along with their associated contacts 17 and 18 operate in combination as a second electrical switch. Each switch pair may be connected to an external circuit by leads (not shown) attached to terminal screws 9 (see FIG. 4). A pair of similar blade insulating links 20 and 21 interconnect the pairs of switch blades 11, 12 and 13, 14.

The blade links 20 and 21 are stamped from a sheet of insulating material, such as that sold under the trademark Textolite, in the form shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the blade link 20 comprises a central member 22 having an L-shaped slot therein including a central portion 23 and a leg portion 24. One end of the blade link has a tab portion 25 extending from the central region thereof, while the opposite end has a corresponding end slot 26. The slotted end of the blade links 20 and 21 may be conveniently tapered, as shown, in order to facilitate the assembly of the blades. To further facilitate the assembly of'the blade links, the width of the L- shaped slot 23, 24 and the end slot 26 is greater than the thickness of blade links 20 and 21 and the length of the central portion 23 of the L-shaped slot is longer than the remote portion of the link extending from the bottom edge 27 of the L-shaped slot to the end 28' into which the end slot 26 is cut.

The blade link 21 is identical with link 20 in most respects and the parts thereof are identified in the drawings with the same numerals and an associated prime However, tab portion 25 of blade link 20 is somewhat longer than the corresponding tab portion 25 of blade link 21.

The assembly of the blade links 20 and 21 may be con veniently accomplished as follows:

Referring to FIG. 3, blade link 20 is positioned perpendicular to blade link 21 and brought together such that the leg portion of the L-shaped slot of link 20 is mated with the end slot 26' of link 21. This mating is facilitated by the fact that the slots 26 and 26 are wider than the thickness of the blade links 20 and 21. Blade link 20 is then rotated in a clockwise direction around interior portion 29 of link 21 until the end slot 26 of link 20 is parallel with blade 21 and free to slide within the central portion of the L-shaped slot 23' of blade link 21, while the end slot 26 of blade link 21 similarly cooperates with the central portion of the L- shaped slot 23 of blade link 20. As best shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, the blade links are movably interlocked, with the tab portions 25 and 25' extending in opposite directions and the blade links 20 and 21 extending in planes mutually perpendicular to one another.

The blade links 20 and 21 are then mounted intermediate the switch blade pairs 11, 12 and 13, 14 as best illustrated in FIG. 1, by inserting tab 25' of blade link 21 through tab opening 31 in switch blade 12. Similarly, tab portion 25 of blade link 20 is inserted through tab opening 3'2 in switch blade 13 and also through tab opening 33 in switch blade 14. The tab opening 31 may conveniently be in the form of a horizontal rectangular opening to accommodate the horizontal tab portion 25 of blade link 21, while the tab openings 32 of switch blade 13 and 33' of switch blade 14 may conveniently be in the form of vertical rectangular openings to accommodate the vertically extending tab portion 25 of blade link 20. The tab openings 31, 32 and 33 are sufliciently large so that tab portions 25 and 25' pass loosely through and may move freely relative thereto. To insert the tab portions, the resilient switch blade pairs 11, 12 and 13, 14 may be manually separated and then allowed to resiliently close over tab portions 25 and 25'. The resiliency of the blades 11, 12,13'and 14 is such that they tend to move toward operator 1 but are restrained by the blade links 20 and 21 and the operator 1.

The switch assemblies are now interconnected by the movably interlocked blade links 20 and 21 and will operate as follows:

Referring to FIG. 4, the switch operator 1 has been rotated by actuator element 4 such that operator cam 2 has contacted switch blade 14 and moved the contact 18 associated therewith to a suitable position to complete the electrical circuit through contact 17 when blade 13 drops olt of cam 2'. At the same time, the movement of switch blade 14 is accomplished through blade link 20 and the contact made by tab portion 25 of blade link 20 with the operator cam 2, as illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 4. Blade link 20 is movably interlocked with blade link 21 and is supported by and slides over blade link 21. Switch blade 12 is simultaneously actuated toward switch blade 11 through the contact with end 28 of blade link 4 20, and the resiliency of blade 11 causes it to follow blade 13 toward the operator 1 and facilitate the closure of the contacts associated with blades 11 and 12. Link 21 will act as a spacer between blades 11 and 13.

The pairs of switch blades 11, 12 and 13, 14 will remain in the closed position during the period when operator earn 2 is in engagement with both switch blade 14 and tab portion 25 of blade link 20. Upon further rotation of switch operator 1 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 through continued rotation of actuator element 4, the curved edge of operator cam 2 passes out of engagement with the tab portion 25 of blade link 20. Since switch blades '12 and 14 were deflected away from switch operator 1 during the on or closing actuation, the normal resiliency of blade 12 drives the blade 12 and blade link 20 toward operator 1 opening the contacts associated with switch blades 11 and 12. Switch blades 13' and 14 remain closed because of contact between operator cam 2 and switch blade 14. The net result is the opening of the contacts associated with switch blades 11 and 12, while the contacts associated with switch blades 13 and 14 remain closed.

Upon further rotation of the switch operator 1 through continued rotation of actuator element 4, operator cam 2 passes out of engagement with switch blade 14 over the top 19 of blade 14. Since blades 13 and 14 were deflected away from the switch operator 1 during the on or closing actuation of FIG. 4, the normal resiliency of the blades 13 and 14 tends to drive them toward operator 1. Blade 14 is free to drive toward operator 1 but blade 13 is engaged by the operator cam 2 to prevent it from following blade 14 thus separating blades 13 and 14 and opening the contact associated therewith. Thus, the contacts associated with blades -13 and 14 have opened a short time after the opening of the contacts associated with switch blades 11 and 12 providing the desired sequential actuation. The time interval between the opening of the contacts associated with switch blades 11 and 12 and those associated with switch blades 13 and 14 may be controlled, for example, by the shaping of the operator cam 2 and/ or by the length of the upper end 19 of blade 14.

Further rotation of operator 1 by the drive mechanism will bring operator cam 2" into contact with switch blade 14 and end tab 25 of blade 20 to simultaneously drive blades 14 and 12 away from the operator 1 to the position shown in FIG. 4 wherein both sets of contacts are closed to repeat the cycle.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the blade link 21 is identical with blade link 20 shown in FIG. 2 with the exception that the centrally located tab portion 25 is omitted and replaced by a pair of tab portions 34 and 35 which extend on either side of the central region 36.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view corresponding to that shown in FIG. 4 in which the blade link 21 replaces the blade link 21. The tab portions 34 and 35 instead of extending through the central region of switch blades 13 and 14 surround the switch blade and pass through notches cut in the edges thereof to pass beyond the blades and contact the cam operator 2. The location of the notches in switch blades 13 and 14 are shown With reference to FIG. 4 and are indicated as 37 and 38.

The operation of the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the same as that shown for FIGS. 4-6. The exception is, as explained above, that the blade link 21', instead of extending through the central region of the switch blades 13 and 14, surrounds the blades.

It is thus apparent that the an uncomplex switch blade linkage has been provided which is readily assembled and disassembled and which will insure positive action ofa pair of switch contacts to provide the desired simultaneous closing and sequential opening thereof.

Therefore, while particular embodiments of the subject invention have been shown and described herein, they are in the nature of description rather than limitation, and as will occur to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and combinations may be made within the province of the appended claims and without departing either in spirit or scope from the invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A switch assembly comprising a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart blade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carrying contacts at the other ends positioned such as to contact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a cam operator mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movably interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through contact between the other blade link of said pair and said cam operator, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished through contact with said cam operator, said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously to one switch position and sequentially to another switch position.

2. A switch assembly comprising \a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart blade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carrying contacts at the other ends positioned such as to con tact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a cam operator mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movably interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through the other blade link of said pair, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished through contact with said cam operator, said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously toward one another to close the associated pairs of contacts, and the blade pairs are actuated to open the associated contacts of each pair in sequence, said simultaneous closing of the contacts being accomplished by the lateral movement of said one blade of the first pair and said one blade of said second pair upon actuation of said cam operator, and said sequential opening of said contacts being accomplished by the sequential contact between the said cam operator, the said other blade link and the said one blade of the first pair.

3. A switch assembly comprising a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart b'lade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carrying contacts at the other ends positioned such as to contact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a cam operator mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movable interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through the other blade link of said pair, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished by said cam operator, said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously toward one another to close the associated pairs of contacts, and the blade pairs are actuated to open the associated contacts of each pair in sequence, said simultaneous closing of the contacts being accomplished by the lateral movement of said one blade of the first pair and said one blade of said second pair upon actuation of said cam operator, said first and second pairs of blades being driven and flexed by said cam operator prior to the opening thereof, and said sequential opening of said contacts being accomplished by the sequential loss of contact between the said cam operator, and the said other blade link and the said one blade of the first pair, respectively, whereby the resiliency of said other blade of said second pair and said other blade of said first pair, respectively, sequentially drive them to ward said cam operator to sequentially open the contacts associated therewith.

4. A switch assembly comprising a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart blade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carrying contacts at the other ends positioned such as to contact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a motor driven rotary cam operator having substantially triangular cam surfaces mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movable interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through the other blade link of said pair, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished by said cam operator, said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously toward one another to close the associated pairs of contacts, and the blade pairs are actuated .to open the associated contacts of each pair in sequence, said simultaneous closing of the contacts being accomplished by the lateral movement of said one blade of the first pair and said one blade of said second pair upon rotation of said cam operator, said first and second pairs of resilient blade members being flexed away from the axis of rotation of said cam operator during rotation thereof prior to the opening of said contacts, said sequential opening of said contacts being accomplished by the sequential contact between the said cam operator, and the said other blade link and the said one blade of the first pair, respectively, whereby the resiliency of said other blade of said second pair and said other blade of said first pair, respectively, sequentially drive them toward said cam operator to sequentially open the contacts associated therewith.

5. A switch assembly comprising a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart blade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carrying contacts at the other ends positioned such as to contact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a motor driven rotary cam operator having substantially triangular cam surfaces mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movable interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through the other blade link of said pair, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished by said cam operator, said other blade having a tab portion which passes through said one blade of said first pair to contact said cam operator, portions of said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously toward one another to close the associated pairs of contacts, and the blade pairs are actuated to open the associated contacts of each pair in sequence, said simultaneous closing of the contacts being accomplished by the lateral movement of said one blade of the first pair and said one blade of said second pair upon rotation of said cam operator, said first and second pairs of resilient blade members being flexed away from the axis of rotation of said cam operator during rotation thereof prior to the opening of said contacts, said sequential opening of said contacts being accomplished by the sequential contact between the said cam operator, and the said other blade link and the said one blade of the first pair, respectively, whereby the resiliency of said other blade of said second pair and said other blade of said first pair, respectively, sequentially drive them toward said cam operator to sequentially open the contacts associated therewith.

6. A switch assembly comprising a first and a second pair of resilient spaced apart blade members, said blade members being secured at corresponding ends and carry ing contacts at the other ends positioned such as to contact each other when the blades of each pair are moved toward each other, a motor driven rotary cam operator having substantially triangular cam surfaces mounted adjacent said first pair of blade members, and a pair of movable interlocked, mutually supporting blade links interconnected such that actuation of one of the blades of said first pair of blades by said cam operator will produce actuation of one of the blades of said second pair of blades through one of said blade links therebetween, 30

actuation of the other blade of said second pair by said cam operator being accomplished through the other blade link of said pair, and actuation of the other blade of said first pair being accomplished by said cam operator;

said other blade having a tab portion which passes around said other blade of said first pair to contact said cam operator, portions of said cam being shaped such that said pairs of blade members are actuated simultaneously toward one another to close the associated pairs of contacts, and the blade pairs are actuated to open the as sociated contacts of each pair in sequence, said simultaneous closing of the contacts being accomplished by the lateral movement of said one blade of the first pair and said one blade of said second pair upon rotation of said cam operator, said first and second pairs of resilient blade members being flexed away from the axis of rotation of said cam operator during rotation thereof prior to the opening of said contacts, said sequential opening of said contacts being accomplishedby the sequential contact between the said cam operator, and the said other blade link and the said one blade of the first pair, respectively, whereby the resiliency of said other blade of said second pair and said other blade of said first pair, respectively, sequentially drive them toward said cam operator to sequentially open the contacts associated therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,896,053 Foote et al. July 21, 1959 

1. A SWITCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND PAIR OF RESILIENT SPACED APART BLADE MEMBERS, SAID BLADE MEMBERS BEING SECURED AT CORRESPONDING ENDS AND CARRYING CONTACTS AT THE OTHER ENDS POSITIONED SUCH AS TO CONTACT EACH OTHER WHEN THE BLADES OF EACH PAIR ARE MOVED TOWARD EACH OTHER, A CAM OPERATOR MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID FIRST PAIR OF BLADE MEMBERS, AND A PAIR OF MOVABLY INTERLOCKED, MUTUALLY SUPPORTING BLADE LINKS INTERCONNECTED SUCH THAT ACTUATION OF ONE OF THE BLADES OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF BLADES BY SAID CAM OPERATOR WILL PRODUCE ACUTATION OF ONE SAUD BLADES OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF BLADES THROUGH ONE OF SAID BLADE LINKS THEREBETWEEN, ACTUATION OF THE OTHER BLADE OF SAID SECOND PAIR BY SAID CAM OPERATOR BEING ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH CONTACT BETWEEEN THE OTHER BLADE LINK OF SAID PAIR AND SAID CAM OPERATOR, AND ACTUATION OF THE OTHER BLADE OF SAID FIRST PAIR BEING ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH CONTACT WITH SAID CAM OPERATOR, SAID CAM BEING SHAPED SUCH THAT SAID PAIRS OF BLADE MEMBERS ARE ACTUATED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO ONE SWITCH POSITION AND SEQUENTIALLY TO ANOTHER SWITCH POSITION. 